Flagler College partners with Salvation Army for ‘Flagler Feeds’

From Staff

Flagler College students, faculty and staff are working with the Salvation Army to provide Thanksgiving dinner for more than 220 area residents who are in need.

On Sunday, Nov. 19, 28 area families will have Thanksgiving Dinner in the Flagler College Dining Hall at 7 p.m.

This event is the first of its kind for both Flagler College and the Salvation Army.

“I was inspired by the mission of the Salvation Army and continue to be inspired by the generosity of the entire Flagler College community,” Flagler College student and Club Liaison Chris Bacca said.

Thanks to a generous donation by Aramark, Flagler’s on campus food provider, families will dine on a traditional Thanksgiving meal. According to Bacca, Flagler’s clubs, organizations, faculty and staff have worked to provide the financial support necessary to host the event.

“The goal of the event is to quite literally provide the families and individuals attending with a good Thanksgiving meal,” Bacca said. “Included though in our mission is recognizing the needs of the Salvation Army and those that serve year round.”

Every family will take home a $25 gift card to a local grocery store to be used toward their family’s Thanksgiving Dinner.

According to Bacca, Dr. William T. Abare, Jr., President of Flagler College, has been supportive of the initiative and will be on hand to welcome guests to campus.

“If we are able to lessen the burden for just one family, or brighten the day of just one child, I believe that our goal has been achieved and then some,” Flagler College student and Club Liaison Kelly Riling said.

The Salvation Army of St. Johns County also helps organize the local Christmas Red Kettle Drive and Salvation Army Angel Tree Program as well as providing social services in the form of rent and utility payments, medicine and food.

For more information, contact Chris Bacca at (904) 233-2177 or cbacca@flagler.edu or Director of Student Activities Carrie Meyer at (904) 819-6459 or cmeyer@flagler.edu.